Echoing his predecessor Barry O'Farrell's fears, Mr Baird said there was broad community concern about proposed changes to section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.

After federal Attorney-General George Brandis said the law needed to change and that people had the right to be bigoted, Mr O'Farrell countered last month that "bigotry should never be sanctioned, whether intentionally or unintentionally". "Vilification on the grounds of race or religion is always wrong," he said.

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On Sunday, Mr Baird said he held a similar position to the former premier.

"I'm not a lawyer, but from my point of view, if it's not broken, don't fix it and there does seem to be broad concern across the community about some of these changes," Mr Baird told Sky News on Australian Agenda.

"Obviously my position is the same as Barry's, who had concerns on this, and my urging to the federal Attorney-General is to take on some of those community concerns.

"I will be making my comments clear and they reflect the concerns I'm hearing across the community on this."

An exposure draft has proposed changing section 18C, which makes it unlawful for someone to act in a manner likely to "offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate" because of race or ethnicity. The proposals include removing the words "offend, insult and humiliate", but retaining the word "intimidate" and adding the word "vilify". It is also proposed that section 18D, which protects freedom of speech, should be replaced with a new section.

The exposure draft has been criticised for proposing exemptions for words and images "in any public discussion of any political, social, cultural, religious, artistic, academic or scientific matter".

The Racial Discrimination Act was used to prosecute conservative political commentator Andrew Bolt over an article he wrote attacking "fair-skinned" Aborigines.

Mr Baird also said tthe federal government needed to take a humane approach in the placement of refugees.

"I think whatever happens in Manus Island, we have to make sure it's as humane as possible," Mr Baird said.

"I've got a broad problem with children in detention, but I am comfortable with offshore processing provided it's humane, provided resources are directed to do the processing quickly and in terms of legal channels."

NSW Community Relations Commission chair Vic Alhadeff on Sunday urged people to make their voices heard before the Tuesday deadline for public submissions on the proposed amendment to section 18C.

"It's essential that the government appreciates the extent of the massive opposition that exists to the proposal to dilute 18C," he said.

"The current laws protect all Australians against racial vilification, not only minority groups, and are one of the few inhibitors we possess against the racism which underpins many overseas conflicts."